Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (16-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC), who recently signed with the UFC, may be scractched from his upcoming debut with the organization because of a knee injury.Rua, who was supposed to fight at UFC 76 in September, should know the extent of the injury in the next couple days, according to GracieFighter.com.

PRIDE’s 2005 Grand Prix Tournament winner had fought for the Japanese-based fight organization since October 2003 and racked up victories over such notables as current UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton Jackson, Ricardo Arona and Antonio Rogerio “Minotoro” Nogueira.

The 25-year-old is a member of the famed Chute Box team and has won 12 of his past 13 fights — nine of which came via knockout or technical knockout. UFC president White said he considers Rua an immediate contender for the light-heavyweight belt.

UFC 76 is expected to take place at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., on Sept. 22. Mike Swick and Evan Tanner are also expected to fight at the event, though their opponents are not yet known.

For the latest UFC 76 fight card, check out the UFC Rumors section of UFCjunkie.com (www.ufcjunkie.com).

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In addition to the news about Rua’s injury, the report discusses further splintering of the once-mighty Brazilian Top Team.

GracieFighter.com has confirmed that Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira and Paul Filho have left BTT:

Rumors that Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira has left Brazilian Top Team have been confirmed. Nogueira now heads his own team and does his training at other gyms. A split between Murillo Bustamante and Mario Sperry has resulted in Sperry’s ouster. Paulo Filho and others that made the core of the team have also left. BTT now is being controlled primarly by Murillo Bustamante and Bebeo Duarte.

I'd rather wait a little while longer and see a strong Shogun debut, rather than him coming in with a bum knee. I'd suspect that a lot of casual UFC fans won't know of his fearsome reputation, so he will have to start anew with them, I want him to make a good first impression, rather than stuggle to get a win with a duff leg.

Just be happy we know he is coming, and that he isnt stuck in fighter limbo like a lot of the other big names atm.

I'd rather wait a little while longer and see a strong Shogun debut, rather than him coming in with a bum knee. I'd suspect that a lot of casual UFC fans won't know of his fearsome reputation, so he will have to start anew with them, I want him to make a good first impression, rather than stuggle to get a win with a duff leg.

Just be happy we know he is coming, and that he isnt stuck in fighter limbo like a lot of the other big names atm.

exactly, for selfish reasons i want to see him in the octagon asap, but a healthy shogun losing is better than the what ifs that follow if he goes in there hurt and loses. i dont see him losing, but if he did and was hurt it would be a shame, plus then excuses would start to fly.

yay for shogun that its not that serious, but i'm really bummed on the whole BTT break up, i like them a lot more than the chuteboxe fellas.. i have a hunch that a.silva and big nog might start their own team maybe..

Master Rudimar Fedrigo, Rua’s trainer at Chute Boxe, told MMAWeekly.com that it was nothing more than a little knee pain and that Rua will continue doing his physical-therapy sessions.

UFC president Dana White recently stated that Rua is scheduled to next fight at UFC 76 on Sept. 22. Rua’s opponent for the fight hasn’t yet been announced.

Earlier this week, GracieFighter.com reported that Rua had injured his knee and might be scratched from the upcoming fight. However, like MMAWeekly.com, the Web site has posted an update stating Rua’s injury wasn’t serious and that he was cleared by a doctor to resume training.

The 25-year-old Rua, one of the world’s top-ranked 205-pound fighters, has won 12 of his past 13 fights — nine of which came via knockout or technical knockout. PRIDE’s 2005 Grand Prix Tournament winner had fought for the Japanese-based fight organization since October 2003 and racked up victories over such notables as current UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton Jackson, Ricardo Arona and Antonio Rogerio “Minotoro” Nogueira.

He signed with the UFC last month.

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